Judge: Fathers provide stability

Forum to teach the importance of raising children.

Forum to teach the importance of raising children.

June 02, 2006|BRENT FORGUES Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- The number of cases filed against fathers who've failed to pay child support in 2006 may be more than double last year's. A judge says that suggests more men are abandoning their families, which in turn might lead to more violence. St. Joseph County Probate Judge Peter Nemeth said 2005 saw 954 cases, and 659 cases have already appeared through April this year. "If there is no father, or there is no family involvement, the chances are a lot less that you are going to be successful in treating delinquent children," he said. Fathers can help with stability, supervision and discipline, and a lack thereof can contribute to violence -- something a forum Saturday will address, Nemeth said. Hosted by the Urban League of South Bend and St. Joseph County, the seminar will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Charles Martin Youth Center. The Tribune is one of the event's co-sponsors. This forum comes as the numbers of paternity cases have increased every year except for one since 2000, Nemeth said, and nearly 1,700 babies are born out of wedlock each year in St. Joseph County. In 1962, that was 5 percent of the births compared to today's 36 percent, Nemeth said, "which is just an incredible change in 40-some years and is certainly having an impact on society." And blacks and Caucasians across the nation have felt a breakdown in family structure as 70 percent of black homes are single-parent families and homes with white families see 55 percent, said Michael Patton, president/CEO of the group hosting the forum. But Patton also cited other factors as origins of cross-cultural violence, such as its prevalence in the media and achievement and wealth gaps in society. In newspapers, commercials, video games, TV and movies and news about Iraq, Afghanistan and South Bend, "they talk about violent acts after violent acts," he said. "And so here we are." In an effort to lessen the amount of crime on the community level, this weekend's forum will provide sessions about using new techniques for raising children, dealing with violence and knowing your children.Staff writer Brent Forgues: bforgues@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6137